KJV ORIGINAL
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Take the coat from someone who promises to pay a stranger's debt, and hold onto something valuable from someone who guarantees payment for an unfamiliar woman.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is warning about the foolishness of making financial promises for people you don't know well - it's so risky that lenders should demand extra security.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient times, people would offer their outer garments or other possessions as collateral when making loans or business agreements. Being a 'surety' meant guaranteeing someone else's debt - if they couldn't pay, you would have to. This was especially risky when done for strangers or people of questionable character.
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